achievement
2 August 2007
On 1 July 1997, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) was formally
established in terms of chapter nine of the country's constitution and the
Electoral Commission Act of 1996. A decade later, the IEC can look back on a
number of achievements.
In 1997, South Africa had no national common voters' roll. The first
national common voters' roll was compiled by the IEC in 1999 and contained more
than 18 million names. Later, the number has grown to more than 20 million. The
country had no voting districts in 1997. Between June and November 1998, the
IEC created 14 650 voting districts for the first registration weekend.
Today there are 18 873 voting districts. Other achievements include the
successful declaration of 'free and fair' results following four general
elections, the absence of violence associated with the electoral contest and
interaction with a broad cross-section of ordinary citizens in the electoral
democracy education programme.
These and many other milestones reached in the fulfilment of the IEC's
unique mandate over the years will be highlighted between July and November
this year, by way of a dedicated programme of activities that will collectively
pay tribute to the organisation's contribution to the current macro political
stability in South Africa.
The organisation is mindful though of a number of challenges that are still
faced on the ongoing journey of the country's democracy. The tenth anniversary
celebrations will therefore also create an opportunity to reflect on these
challenges. "The tenth anniversary of the IEC is an important marker in the
history of the organisation and our country. It serves as a poignant
opportunity to raise the profile of the IEC at a time other than periods of
high electoral activity, simultaneously showcasing the remarkable work done by
the organisation behind the proverbial scene and demonstrating the value added
by the IEC as a permanent body accorded by the Constitution of the Republic.
Above all, it represents the culmination of ten years of individual and
collective achievements of which the IEC is justifiably proud and which are
worthy of special celebration," said Dr Brigalia Bam, the Chairperson of the
Electoral Commission.
The plans for the IEC's tenth anniversary celebrations will be announced by
the Chief Electoral Officer, Advocate Tlakula, during an official launch event
on 3 August 2007, attended by leaders of political parties, faith-based
organisations, the judiciary, election management bodies, government and
non-governmental bodies plus members of the diplomatic corps and administrative
heads of state departments.
IEC Chairperson, Dr Brigalia Bam, will also address the gathering, after
which Professor Barney Pityana will give a lecture entitled "State of Democracy
in South Africa." Designed to reflect the value added by the IEC's partners and
stakeholders in its successes to date, as well to provide opportunities for
introspection on the state of both the organisation and South Africa's
fledgling democracy, the celebratory activities will include the following:
* a book documenting the first ten years of the IEC's history in
pictures
* a national multi-stakeholder conference with delegates drawn from political
parties and non-governmental organisations
* a mobile photo exhibition depicting the development of the IEC from its
historical forerunner to the present
* province-specific celebratory campaigns
* a go-green campaign through which the IEC will commit itself, with partners,
to make a contribution to greater environmental awareness.
For more information please contact:
Lydia Young
IEC Communications
Tel: 012 428 5425
Tebogo Matlou
Magna Carta
Tel: 011 784 2598
Cell: 083 435 0957
Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
2 August 2007
